What Is The Minimum Auto Insurance Needed in New York?
Reader’s Question:
I would like to know what is the minimum insurance that I should have for my car. Is it okay to get just the minimum or should I buy more insurance? This is Chris from Buffalo, New York.
Chris
Buffalo, NY
Hey Chris. If you want to drive legally in Buffalo, New York, you will need to have liability insurance with the following minimum amounts of coverage: $10000 for property damage, a minimum of $25000 and maximum of $50000 for injury and a minimum of $50000 for death with a maximum of $100000. Your coverage for liability has to remain in effect even if the vehicle is not used as long as the registration is valid. Now, as to your question on getting more coverage, this would be dependent upon several factors as well. First of all, you will have to decide up to how much can you pay for your insurance. Second, take into consideration your ability to pay out of your own pocket if ever something happens that is not covered by your insurance?
Next think about the value of your car both to your lifestyle and as an asset in your personal finance books. Now, decide whether it is more practical for you to pay a higher premium for more coverage, then get more insurance. Generally you would do this if your car is relatively new, or too costly to repair on your own. Otherwise, it may be better to just keep a little more in your bank account to tide you over if you do have to pay out of your own pocket should anything happen.
Tags: auto insurance, car insurance
Do You Need Cheap Teen Auto Insurance in New York?
Reader’s Question:
Ok so I am only 17 years old and I really want to drive. I have enough money to purchase myself a vehicle. But they said that I cannot have a vehicle until I turn eighteen. I would like to know if it is possible for me to get my own car insurance under my name even if it costs me more money? I live in New York New York.
Jane
New York, NY
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles states that you must be 16 years of age or older to apply for title certificate and registration in New York State. So if you are under eighteen and therefore still a teen or minor you can register and title a vehicle under your name in NYS.
As for car insurance, if you are a minor under the age of eighteen years old then insurance carriers normally will require that a parent or guardian sign on your car insurance policy with you since it is a legal and binding document.
So, you can own a vehicle in your own name as a minor in New York however you would normally need a parent to buy auto insurance to place on the automobile.
Always remember that if you live with your parents and they permit you to obtain a vehicle it is usually cheaper to add you and the automobile to their car insurance policy than obtaining your own. But if you really want the vehicle and auto insurance in your own name then you will need to shop around for a cheaper price on insurance and find out the requirements of the insurance company regarding you being a minor in New York New York.
I am Moving Out Of State – Do I Keep My Auto Insurance in New York?
Reader’s Question:
I am planning to move to Colorado from Ramapo, New York. I still have a New York State license. I would like to know if I wait until I change my New York State license to CO before I purchase car insurance?
Russell
Ramapo, NY
According to the Colorado DMV if you have recently moved to CO, you must apply for a CO registration and title for your car within thirty days from establishing CO residency. You must provide proof of car insurance to your county clerk before registration can happen. You may use your copy of your car insurance policy, auto insurance card, or a letter from your insurance provider, as proof of your car insurance.
It is a personal decision if you want to wait to buy insurance until after you have changed your drivers license from a New York one to a CO issued driver’s license but if you want wait to change over your car insurance from New York to Colorado you should be sure that your NYS insurance provider will cover you properly until this is done.
Convicted of Drunk Driving? Need SR22 Insurance?
Q: I was convicted of drunk driving and the judge told me that after my license is suspended for the required time, I can get it back if I get SR22 insurance certificate. What is SR22 insurance?
A: Since you have your license suspended, you have to suffer more punishment than a simple few weeks suspension. In order to comply with the law, you will have to buy SR22 insurance for a total of three years before you are able to keep your license without it.
A SR22 certificate is proof of insurance. It’s a form that the car insurance company you buy your policy from will file with the DMV in your area every month. If the form is not filed during the three year period you are required to have SR22 insurance, then your insurance will be canceled and your license again suspended.
It’s sometimes difficult to find Schenctady SR22, so you’ll have to look a little harder. Since you are now part of a high risk group of drivers, it’s also very likely that you will have to pay a lot more in order to keep yourself insured. If you don’t want to have to file SR22 insurance, then you can avoid it by simply allowing your license to remain suspended for three years–but then you won’t be able to drive.
